Myanmar, ADB to cooperate in poverty alleviation, HIV control

Yangon: The Myanmar government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will cooperate in poverty alleviation and expand HIV/AIDS control services to vulnerable groups in Myanmar's remote areas, official media reported Tuesday.

The project with funding of $22 million from Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) is a community-driven approach, under which village infrastructure like access roads, jetties, water and irrigation facilities, schools and community health centres will be improved, Xinhua reported citing the New Light of Myanmar.

Of the $22 million, $12 million will go to a grant for livelihoods, which will benefit local people in villages in Ayeyawady Delta, Central Dry Zone, Taninthayi region and Shan state.

New income earning opportunities will be developed in areas such as fish, shrimp and pearl farming, livestock husbandry, and production of cash crops and growth of tourist market.

The $10-million HIV/AIDS control grant will be used in projects including building of 47 rural health centres and sub-health centres, refurbishing three township hospitals, supplying medical equipment and training.

The ADB is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration.